Facts in brief

Here’s a useful list of facts and figures on Denmark, designed to give the business investor a quick yet accurate overview of the many possibilities and great potential that Denmark offers.

Infrastructure

• Ideal geographical location in relation to the Nordic countries and the Baltic Sea Region with access to markets of 24m and 93m inhabitants respectively, of which at least half has considerable purchasing power
• Well-functioning infrastructure which is continuously developed, the latest example being the Øresund fixed link – by road and rail you can now reach Sweden in just 20 minutes.
• One of Europe’s most efficient distribution systems, according to Local Airport Authority, OAG, and IATA figures
• Copenhagen airport appointed the best airport in Europe (together with Brussels) (AETRA SURVEYS, MAp, 2006). Copenhagen airport  functions as a hub for all Scandinavia with the shortest lead times for goods

Economy

• Low inflation: 1.5% (CIA 2007)
• High GDP per capita (PPP): 34,989 US$ (CIA 2007)
• Low corporate taxation: 25%
• Low taxation for expatriates (researchers and management): 25%
• Low social security contribution for employer: 1.21% (IMD 2006) 
• Stable economy and currency 
  1 US$ = 5.5192 DKK (Exchangerate, March 2007)

Workforce

• Highly educated - among the best in the world
• International minded with excellent language skills: English 78%, German 43%, French 14% (Eurostat 2000)
• Danish workers are team players, flexible and productive.
• Innovative, enthusiastic and enterprising.
• Extensive resources available – especially in new technologies such as IT and mobile telephony
• Flexible labour regulation framework - World top 3
• Flexible rules on working hours

Establishing costs

• Low office occupancy costs
• Some of the world’s lowest data and telecommunication rates
• Competitive salaries for management/scientists

New technologies

• Highly developed ICT infrastructure
• Among the world’s top 5 in penetration of PCs and internet use and broadband (IMD 2007)
• Among world’s leaders in R&D for all three of the following clusters: Wireless, Software, Biotech, Medicotech, Cleantech
• “E-government”: the public sector is at the cutting edge of new developments in IT